Pivoted jaw, slotted head tool for speedometer cables and the like



July 12, 1955 v. G. BEAMAN ETAL 2,712,754

PIVOTED JAW, SLOTTED HEAD TOOL FOR SPEEDOMETER CABLES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. l2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. i

IO I8 H l 'T 24 4L n 2|\ a2 4 23 2'3 Fig. 2

INVENTORS Vern G. Beaman BY Ralph C.Surraft ATTORNEYS July 12, 1955 G. BEAMAN ETAL 2,712,764 PIVOTED JAW, sLoTTED HEAD Toor. FOR

SPEEDOMETER CABLES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. l2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig 7 f8' /la Fig. 9

Il H2, l0i "Im/a5 INVENTORS Vern G. Beaman By Ralph C. Surratf @ZM/Au Y/w ATTORNEYS United States Patent FIVGTED JAW, SLGTED HEAD TOOL FOR SPEEBGME'ER CAELES AND THE LIKE Vern G. Beanian, Englewood, and Ralph C. Surratt,

This invention relates to tools and more particularlyv to tools for turning a speedometer cable collar or the like.

Threaded connections are sometimes found in relatively inaccessible places or conned spaces. Thus, the collar by which a speedometer cable is attached to a drive shaft or similar connection, is often disposed in a position at which access thereto by a pipe wrench or pair of pliers is diicult, if not impossible. Quite often, a speedometer cable collar is located between two parts, such asV between a brake housing and a transmission housing; and the space is insufficient to permit the insertion of the usual type of Wrench for a hex head, and the cable itself prevents the use of a hex socket wrench. Thus, such collars are conventionally made round and knurled about the periphery so that a mechanic by using his fingers, can turn the colar, in the event that the pressure requiredy is no more than that which can be exerted by the iingers. However, after a long period of use, it is often diicnlt, if not impossible, to loosen the collar by the fingers. Also,- merely tightening by use of the iingers does not always insure a sucientiy tight connection that the collar will not come loose during use. Thus, it is sometimes necessary to loosen the collar with a chisel inserted into the space and engaging a point on the periphery of the'coilar while the chisel is held substantially tangential to the collar, and then striking the other end ofthe chisel with a hammer. The collar may also be tightened in this manner, but such operations with a chisel are generally slow and time consuming, and also tend to damage the collar. in addition to speedometer cable collars, there are other connections with respect to whichv the confined space in which such a connection is located, as well as a part associated therewith and extending therefrom,- prevents the use or" the more usual tools for loosening or tightening the connection.

Among the object of this invention are to provide a tool for turning a connecting part disposed in a relatively inaccessible position, such as a speedometer cable collar; to provide such a tool which is adapted to turn a connect` ing part from which extends an associated part which prevents the use of a conventional tool, such as a socket wrench; to provide such a tool which may be actuated to turn a speedometer cable collar or the like in either direc'- tion, so as to tighten or to loosen the saine; to provide such a tool which tends to clamp the part to be turned more tightly as the tool itself is turned in the direction in which the part is to be turned; to provide such a tool which is comparatively simple in construction yet may be made in more than one embodiment; to provide such a tool which may be manufactured with compara-tive ease; and to provide such a tool which is sufcietly rugged to withstand the rigors of hard usage.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation of a speedometer cable'collar and adjacent parts, with dotted lines indica-ting the position of a tool constructed in accordance with this invention for loosening or tightening the collar;

Fig; 2 is a side elevation of a tool constructed in accord# ometer cabley collar;

Fig. 3`is a longituditudinal section of theV tool of Fig.-2;

Fig. 4 is a ltransverse section taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an end View of the tool of Fig. 2, taken from the position of line 5 5 of Fig.'3;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken through the handle of'thetool, along line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a tool forming an alternative embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the tool of Fig. 7, taken from' the handle end at the position of line 8 8 of Fig. 7;.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section ofthe tool of Fig. 7, taken alongline 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken along line 10 10 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. l1 is an end view of the tool, taken from the head end at the position of line 11 11 of Fig. 7.

As illustrated in Fig. l, a sheathed speedometer cable 10 may be connected through the speedometer cable to an instrument such as a speedometer, for indicating the speed of the drive shaft or the speed of a vehicle driven through the drive shaft. The connec tion 12 may be disposed in a relatively inaccessible position, such as between a transmission housing 14 and` a drive shaft brake housing 15. As will be evident, due to the limited space in which the coilar 11 is disposed, it is diiiicult if not impossible to tighten or loosen the collar by means of a usual open end wrench, while the cable 10 itself preventsy the use of a socket wrench. Thus, if the collar 11 were hexagonal 1n shape, no advantage would be obtained thereby. While the collar 1-1 is knurled, as shown',v not only is the space between the housings 14 and 15 limited, so that access thereto by the ngers is comparatively diicult, but the collar 11 many times cannot be loosened by the fingers, and also adequate tightening by the fingers is difcult.

A tool constructed in accordance with this invention may comprise a handle 13 and a head H, in use the handle 18 lying alongside the cable 10, as shown in Fig. and also indicated 1n dotted lines in Fig. 1, while-'the head H is adapted to encircle the collar 11, s'o that the tool may be turned about the axis of cable 10, in one direction while tightening the collar and in the opposite direct-ionwhile loosening the same. The tool also nwhich is associated with the head H and ably the axis of the handle 18. The jaw 19 is preferably a dual jaw having a wing 2) on one side and a wing 21 on the opposite side, each wing 20 and 21 being generally an arcuate segment in form and adapted to engage the collar '11, so as to be wedged against the collar and also force the collar 11 against the inside of the head H on the opposite side of the latter, as in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. Preferably, Wing 20 of the jaw 19, which extends from its axis in the direction in which the collar 11 is to be turned for loosening the collar, i. e. the

tion, i. e. for tightening.

As in Fig. 3, the head H is preferably generally cup-A shaped, having a'n annular side wall 23 and a generally hat bottom 2li and, may be integral with the handlel Y the speedometer cable 1Q l into engagement with Y tightening of the t around the cable lustratedin Figs. 2 6, but

I head H; In addition,

Y 3 and disposedin a position such that its is parallel to but spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis of the handle 18. The inside of the head sidewall 23 is preferably circular, and is provided with alongitudinal slot 25, extending through the sidewall 23 at a point opposite the handle 18, while an extension 26V of slot 25 extends laterally through the bottom 24 of the head and may be slightly enlarged at the center, as in Figs. 5 and 6. The outer periphery of the head may be generally circular, except adjacent the handle 18, at which the head may be provided with a laterally extending portion 27 having two sides 28, as in Fig..5 which extend tangentially Vfrom the circle of the remainder of the'outer periphery, to meet in an arc ata point laterally beyond the axis of the handle 18. As will be evident, the longitudinal slot V and its extensionV 26 permit the head H to be passed over the speedometer cable 10, and the'head moved to the positions of Figs. .l and 2, in which the head H encircles the collar 11 and the cable 10 passes through the central portion of the extension slot 26 in the bottom of the head.

The head 18 is also provided with a transverse slot 29 which extends through the laterally extending portion 27 of the head H and also into the sidewall 23 of the head for. a suiicient distance at each side so that the jaw 19 may be rotatedwithin the slot 29. In the embodimentof Figs. 2-6, the handle 18 is provided tudinal bore, which also extends through the head through mounted on shaft 30. A suitable hole may be drilled through the jaw 19 and the shaft 30, so that Va locking pin 32 may be inserted therein, to secure Vthejaw 19 to the shaft 30. The opposite end of the shaft is provided H and with a central longin longitudinal axisv utilized for this purpose.

f or vthe wings, or both which a pin or shaft 30 extends, jaw 19 being f with a knob 31, .which may be attached tothe shaft 30 or madeintegraltherewith, the knob 31 preferably being knurled so as to be more readily grasped bythe user to turn the jawY 19. To provide an engagement between the tool and the collar k11 which is lesslikely to slip, the inside of theV sidewall both, may be provided with longitudinally extending serrations. Thus, as intFigs, 3 and 4, the inner edge of each of the wings 20 and 21trnay be provided with serrations 33.

As will be evident, the

and moved therealong until it encircles the collar 11, with the jaw 19 in the position of Fig. 5, the jaw being suitably held in position by means of the knob 31. Then, depending upon whether vthe collar 11 is to be loosened or tightened, the knob 31 is turned so as to move the wing 20 or 21 of the jaw 19 on knob 31 is preferably continued during loosening or collar 11, while the tool is rotated 10. As will be evident, only a small clearance alongside collar 11 is necessary for rotation of the tool about the axis of the collar 11.`

in Figs. 7-ll is operated similarly to the embodiment ilthe handle 18 and the head H' of the former are made separately, .thus eliminating the separate shaft 30and also reducing the material necessary to be machined in order to form the head andyhandle as an integral part, as in the embodiment'of Figs. 2-'6. Y Thus, the head H', similarly to the head H,

has aA generally annular sidewall 23' provided rwith alongitudinal slot 2S bottom 24' into which slot 26' ing larger at the center',v if desired, than the outer periphery of the head H is circular, except for the laterally extending portion 27' which isprovided with tangential sides 28' meeting in an arc laterally of the axis of the jaw 19. The jaw 19'.is again preferably a dual jaw having wings 20 and 21' which are adapted to be turned into engagement with the collar 11 of Figs. 1 'a' transverse slot 29.

opposite the handle 18' and a at extends, the slot 26' belnstead of a separate shaft for rothe collar 11. Turning pressure the slot 26 of the f and 2, the jaw again moving withinY of the head, or the jaw wings, or

head H may be inserted over Y The embodiment of the tool of this inventionillustrated tation of the jaw 19', the handle 18 may be provided with an extension or pin H' and the jaw 19 and which includes a cylindrical section 35 journaled in the head H', as in Fig. 19. A second cylindrical section 36 is smaller, because of the reduced thickness of the head, while a square or non-circular section 37 extends through the jaw 19' and cooperates with a similarly formed slot in the jaw to attach the same thereto for rotation, and a third and still smaller cylindrical section 38 extends through a similar bore in the portion of the head beyond the slot 29'. The bore for the cylindrical section 38 may be then counterbored slightly at the end, so that the end of the pin may be peened to retain the handle in the head, although a rela tively snug iit, such as a drive t, between the non-circular section 37 and the slot therefore in jaw 19', may be The exterior of handle 18' is preferably knurled, to provide a better grip thereon, so that the handle 18' may be turned to force the wing 29' `or 21' of jaw 19', as the case may be, into engagement with the collar to be loosened or tightened. As indicated, the head sidewall may be provided with serrations on'the inside to provide a better grip on the 4collar 11. Thus, as in Figs. 9-l1, the inside of the head sidewall 23' maybe provided with serrations 40, extending between the longitudinal slot 25 into transverse slot 29', while one 'or both of the wings 20 and 21' of the jaw 19' may be provided with a small number of serrations adjacent its outer end, on the inside, inside of the collar loosening jaw wing 20'.

. From the foregoing, it will Ybe evident that the tool of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. The use of a head adapted to encircle the part to be loosened or tightened, in .conjunction with a jaw which is movable about a longitudinal axis,'insures that the part to be loosened or tightened will be forced into engagement with the head and an effective longitudinal slot in the head permits the tool to be passed over a part which extends axially from the part` tobe loosened or tightened, while the transverseslot in the head permits the jaw to be placed vso that a minimum of clearance on the outside of the part being loosened or tightened is necessary. The use of the handle or means such as a shaft associated with the handle, to turn the jaw, not only simplifies the construction but also reduces the clearance space necessary for operation of the tool. Thisfeature also simplifies the operation of the tool, enabling it to .be operated by use of only one hand and permits the entire tool to be rotated while loosening or tightening the desired part. The use of a dual jaw, which may be turned in one direction Vto Aengage. a part to be loosened, or in in which the desired rotation of the part to be loosened or tightened is to be imparted, pressure of the'jaw is readily continued during rotation of the part. As will be evident, the4 small number of parts in the two embodiments of the invention illustrated and described, enables the tool to be manufactured with comparative ease, while the parts may .be made suiciently heavy so that ruggedness is readily obtained. Y j

, Although two embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist, and various changes made therein, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for turning a speedometer cable collar and the lilla-comprising a handle; a generally cup-shaped head at the forward end of said handle with its axis extending longitudinally and spaced laterally from the'axis of said handle, said head having a longitudinal slot extending throughone side thereof opposite said handle and into which extends through the head such as serrations 41 on theV grip will be maintained thereon. The

ythe opposite direction to engageV a part' to be tightened, providesa desirable exibility of opera# tion. Since the jaw is preferably turned in the `direction the rear end thereof, said slot being of a size to permit passage of said cable to a central position with respect to said head, and said head also having a transverse slot in the side thereof adjacent said handle and extending away from said handle axis in each direction; a dual jaw pivoted on a longitudinal axis within said transverse slot,

the like, as defined in claim l, wherein said head is integral with said handle, and said pin extends longitudinally within said handle and is provided with a knob at the rear end thereof for turning said pin.

4. A tool for turning a speedometer cable collar and the like, as dened in claim 1, wherein the inner edge of said housing, between said longitudinal slot and said lateral slot, is provided with longitudinal serrations.

5. A tool for turning a speedometer cable collar and the like, as defined in claim l, wherein the inner edge of Said head is is circular with a portion thereof having sides extending tangentially at each side of and meeting arcuately at a point disposed laterally from said pivot axis on the side of said pivot axis opposite said longitudinal slot.

6. A tool for turning a speedometer cable collar and the like, comprising a handle; a generally cup-shaped head at the forward end of said handle with its axis extending longitudinally and spaced laterally from the axis of said handle, said head having a longitudinal slot extending completely through one side thereof opposite said handle and past the center thereof toward said handle, said slot being of a size to permit lateral passage of said cable to a central position with respect to said head; a jaw pivoted on a longitudinal axis and associated with said head so as to engage said collar when turned; and means at least associated with said handle for turning said jaw.

7. A tool for turning a speedometer cable collar and the like, comprising a handle; a generally cup-shaped head at the forward end of and integral with said handle, the axis of said head extending longitudinally and being spaced laterally from the axis of said handle, said head having a .fiat bottom and with a longitudinal slot extending through said sidewall opposite said handle and into said bottom, said slot being enlarged centrally of said bottom and being adapted to permit passage of said cable to a central position with respect to said head, and said head also having a transcircular, and the outer edge of said head a generally annular sidewallv i3 verse slot in the side thereof adjacent said handle and extending away from said handle axis in each direction; a dual jaw pivoted on a longitudinal axis within said transverse slot, said jaw having a generally arcuate wing extending to each side and having an inner edge corresponding in shape to the inside of said head along said transverse slot, said jaw extending a comparatively substantial distance along said slot in each direction from its axis and th inner edge of each wing being provided end of said handle for turning said pin to cause said Iiaw to pivot.

8. A tool for turning a speedometer cable collar and comprising a handle; a separate, generally cupmounted at the forward end of said handle extending longitudinally and spaced laterally from the axis of said handle, said head having a ilat slot and said transa longitudinal axis having a generally and having an inner serrations between said longitudinal verse slot; a dual jaw pivoted on within said transverse slot, said jaw arcuate Wing extending to each side section within said jaw, and a third cyiindrical section of still lesser diameter and journaled in said head beyond said transverse slot, said head having a bore provided with sections of a diameter corresponding to said first, second and third cylindrical sections and said jaw having a slot corresponding in shape to and engaging said noncircular section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS with longitudinal v 

